Iowa State Basketball: Road to March Madness
The Iowa State Cyclones have secured a coveted No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, marking the fourth time in program history they’ve achieved this ranking. Excitement is building as they prepare to face No. 15 seed Tennessee State in the first round, held in St. Louis, Missouri. A potential second-round clash with the winner of No. 7 Kentucky and No. 10 Santa Clara awaits. Here’s a comprehensive look at what fans need to know about Iowa State’s tournament opener and the journey ahead.
NCAA Tournament Tickets & Schedule
Tickets for the NCAA Tournament are sold by session. Iowa State’s game falls within the first session on Friday, granting ticket holders access to both the Cyclones vs. Tennessee State matchup and the preceding game between No. 7 Kentucky and No. 10 Santa Clara (starting at 11:15 a.m. CT). For those wanting full access, all-session tickets are also available, covering both Friday night’s games and the second-round contests on Sunday.
Scouting the Opponent: Tennessee State Tigers
Tennessee State earned their tournament berth by dominating the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. The Tigers finished tied for the best record in the OVC at 15-5 and boast an overall record of 23-9. Led by first-year head coach Nolan Smith, a former Duke national champion, Tennessee State is a team on the rise.
Currently ranked No. 187 in KenPom, the Tigers have faced only two teams ranked within the top 100 – an 87-79 loss to Belmont and an 89-60 defeat against Tennessee, both earlier in the season. Their offensive attack is spearheaded by senior forward Aaron Nkrumah and senior guard Travis Harper.
Key Players for Tennessee State
- Aaron Nkrumah: The OVC Player of the Year, Nkrumah averages 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and an impressive 2.8 steals per game.
- Travis Harper: A 6-foot-6 sharpshooter, Harper contributes 17.3 points per game and shoots 40.1% from beyond the arc on 202 attempts.
In their single game against a Power Five opponent (Tennessee), Nkrumah and Harper combined for 36 points, highlighting their importance to the Tigers’ offense. However, the rest of the starting lineup managed only 8 points in that contest.
Head-to-Head History
Iowa State and Tennessee State have met four times previously, but not since 2009. All four encounters took place at Hilton Coliseum, with the Cyclones emerging victorious each time. Interestingly, current Iowa State assistant coach Diante Garrett contributed 11 points and 7 assists in their most recent matchup, while future NBA player Robert Covington scored 3 points for Tennessee State.
Broadcast Information & Coverage
Stay tuned from 6:30 to 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday for a special NCAA Tournament preview show. KCCI’s Shannon Ehrhardt will be reporting live from St. Louis, providing insights ahead of the Iowa State vs. Tennessee State game. Cullen Holt will be in Tampa, offering coverage for Iowa’s matchup against Clemson.
- Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page
- Download the free KCCI app (Apple | Google Play)
As the Cyclones embark on their NCAA Tournament journey, fans can expect thrilling competition and exciting moments. Stay updated with the latest news and analysis as Iowa State basketball aims for championship glory.
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